A serving police officer detained in relation to the disappearance of Sarah Everard has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive went missing after leaving a friend's house in Clapham at about 9pm on March 3.

The Met said the man, aged in his 40s, was initially arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of kidnap.

Today, he was further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.

Police said his primary role was "uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises."

Wandsworth Times:

A spokesperson for the Met said: “The man, who is aged in his 40s, was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, March 9, on suspicion of kidnap.

"Today, Wednesday, March 10, he has been further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.

"The man is a serving Metropolitan Police officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

"His primary role was uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises.

"A woman, who is aged in her 30s, was also arrested on the evening of 9 March on suspicion of assisting an offender.

"She remains in custody.

"Officers are searching locations in London and Kent including a property in Deal and an area of woodland near Ashford.

"Following the arrest of the police officer, the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

Search teams have been scouring the house in Deal and areas of woodland after a serving Met Police officer was arrested in connection with the case.

A black SEAT Exeo was lifted off the driveway and forensics officers entered the house with a blue tent erected in the front garden. 

Another car - a black Peugeot 107 - was also removed using a flatbed lorry.

A tent has been erected outside the property while a large area near the coastal town has been cordoned off, with dozens of officers and dog units at each scene.

Witnesses said the terrace property has been cordoned off and people trying to access the road were turned round by officers.

It is thought one area of woodland being searched is near Betteshanger Park which is around two-and-a-half- miles from the house.

A separate search is taking place near Ashford, some 30 miles away from where the officer was arrested yesterday (Tues).

Officers are said to be also scouring land around an abandoned leisure complex in Great Chart near Ashford, which was previously used for paintball, golf and driving range.

Some 150 Met officers along with search dogs are thought to have been mobilised to comb the area.

Speaking this morning (Wed), Met Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said the officer, who remains in custody at a police station in London, was not on duty at the time of Sarah's disappearance.

The woman, who was said to be the officer's wife, was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender and is also still in custody this morning.

Describing the arrest of a serving officer, AC Ephgrave said it was "shocking and deeply disturbing", adding: "As a father myself of four young women I can only imagine the anguish Sarah's family is feeling at this very difficult time."